Decorating, Dreaming, and Planning: My Valentine’s Day Bliss

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and you know I’m ready to fill my home—and my heart—with all the pink, glittery vibes. If you’re anything like me, this season isn’t just about romance; it’s about joy, nostalgia, and finding those little treasures that make you smile every time you walk by them.

This year, I’m going for a fun, vintage-inspired Valentine’s vibe, and let me tell you, the hunt for cute décor has been so much fun! I started with a Target run (obviously) and came home with the cutest haul. Think retro glasses, mugs, whimsical accents, and a pink light-up sign that’s basically screaming, “Put me on your bar cart!” It’s perfect for styling any little nook, tray, or shelf.

And of course, I couldn’t resist pulling out a few favorites from The Daily Grind’s Love and Lace collection. Can we talk about the candles? They’re next-level perfect for Valentine’s vibes. Each one is a little love letter to the season, but my fave is the cherry chip cake scented “Follow Your Dreams” candle. It smells like happiness in a jar!

Okay, confession time—Valentine’s Day is my ultimate winter pick-me-up. February can be so blah, especially in Canada where it’s freezing, gray, and just… cold. Valentine’s Day, with its pops of red and pink, feels like a burst of life in the middle of winter. It’s a chance to celebrate love—love for your people, love for your space, and most importantly, love for yourself.

Whether it’s adding a few heart-shaped touches to your home, lighting a festive candle, or blasting a cheesy rom-com playlist while you decorate, it’s all about embracing the fun.

After a live Instagram session, I decided it was time to dive into my decorations. The sun was setting, and my playlist was ready (early 2000s rom-com hits, of course). Decorating for Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite things because it’s so simple! It doesn’t take a ton of effort to make everything feel cozy and festive. Just a few touches of pink, some cute hearts, and a candle or two—and voilà! Instant Valentine’s magic.

Once my house was sprinkled with all the love, I turned my attention to another tradition I’m obsessed with: goal setting & planning.

If you’ve been here a while, you know I’m all about my vision boards. They’re not just pretty collages—they’re like a roadmap for the season. I do mine booklet-style, with each page dedicated to a different goal. Every page has space for pictures, a personal mantra, and a little letter from future me (because why not?).

And here’s the best part: this year, I’m celebrating my milestones with ten mini bottles of champagne. Every time I crush a goal, I pop one open. Because progress deserves to be celebrated—big or small.

Speaking of celebrations, we hosted The Daily Grind team for a super fun dinner. The table was decked out with personalized name cards, and everyone got the cutest Brûlée charm (Cake Bake's mascot; imagine a unicorn and a hippo with a bow—I love it). It was such a fun night, full of laughter, glitter, and good vibes.

The next day, I woke up covered in glitter, which, let’s be honest, is just the sign of a great party. Glitter cleanup aside, I was ready to dive into my planner and get the month organized.

I always start my planning sessions with a cozy setup: coffee in my new Valentine’s mug, a lit candle, and a playlist to match my mood. It’s such a calming ritual and helps me feel ready for a fresh month and new adventures.

If you’re a fellow planner nerd, you’ll appreciate this—I set up my planner with all the Valentine’s vibes. I added the Daily Grind’s Valentine’s insert, which includes romantic movie lists & habit trackers, and organized my dividers for goals, projects & daily tasks. My favorite part? The Sweet Macaron cover that’s just as sweet as it sounds.

There’s so much to look forward to this month! we’re planning a trip to Disney’s Festival of the Arts (bring on the snacks and drinks), and I’m toying with the idea of creating ambiance videos for you all—think cozy rain sounds or the dreamy vibe of EPCOT at night. Let me know if that’s something you’d love!

At the end of the day, Valentine’s Day is about more than just love—it’s about celebrating the little joys that make life sweet. Whether it’s decorating your space, setting goals, or just taking a moment to light a candle and sip some coffee, it’s the perfect excuse to slow down and soak it all in.

Here’s to a February filled with love, laughter, and all the glitter!

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Valentine’s Day Vibes: Decorating Tips for Tiered Trays & Bar Carts

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and you know what that means—time to sprinkle a little extra love and coziness all over your home! Whether you’re celebrating with your partner, your galentines, or just indulging in some well-deserved self-love, decorating your space can set the mood for all the heart-shaped vibes. Let’s do this!

Step 1: Gather Your Goodies

First things first: let’s talk about the goodies. You know I love to shop my home and mix in a few new pieces, so here’s what I used for this setup:

• A tiered tray — Mine is from HomeGoods (got it ages ago!), but any tiered tray will work. Just make sure it’s big enough to hold mugs and decor without feeling cramped.

• Cute mugs — Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse for all the pink, red, and heart-shaped mugs. Bonus points for anything sparkly!

• Faux whipped cream toppers — These are everything. I found mine on Etsy, but you can totally DIY them too!

• Mini decor items — Think marshmallow mugs, candy-themed goodies, little vases, and gnomes (of course!).

• Candy — Whether it’s real or faux, candy adds such a fun touch. I used colorful candy hearts and chocolates.

• Extras — Tea towels, measuring cups, cute straws, and anything else that makes your heart happy.

Step 2: Pick Your Colors

Valentine’s Day is all about the reds, pinks, and whites, but don’t be afraid to mix in some metallics or neutrals. I’m a sucker for anything with a little sparkle, so I’ll often add gold or rose gold accents to tie everything together.

Step 3: Build Your Base

Now, it’s time to start decorating! Here’s how I set up the base of my tiered tray:

1. Start with your mugs. Place your favorites on the bottom tier for easy access, and use decorative mugs to fill in the back. They’re like little works of art!

2. Layer in height. Add taller pieces like faux whipped cream toppers or small vases to give the tray some dimension.

Step 4: Add the Fun Stuff

Here’s where the magic really happens—it’s all about those little details:

• Marshmallow mugs — These cuties are perfect for adding personality. I dressed mine up with tiny hats and bows.

• Candy and sprinkles — I filled measuring cups with candy hearts and let a few spill out for a playful look. Sprinkle some actual sprinkles around for extra flair.

• Decor accents — Pop in mini gnomes, heart ornaments, or even leftover Christmas decor that fits the color scheme.

Step 5: Style the Surrounding Space

Don’t stop at the tray! The area around it deserves some love too:

• Tea towels — I used a cute Valentine’s tea towel to cover a plug and add a pop of color.

• Decorative ladder — Lean a small ladder nearby and drape it with more tea towels or garlands.

• Bar cart magic — For my bar cart, I added cupcakes, a pink dinosaur plant (yes, really!), and some extra candy. It’s all about creating a cozy, inviting vibe.

Bonus Tips for Maximum Cuteness

• Reuse and repurpose. So many of these pieces can work for multiple holidays. Those marshmallow mugs? They’re basically a year-round staple.

• DIY when you can. If you’re feeling crafty, try making your own whipped cream toppers or painting some Dollar Store finds.

• Mix old and new. Don’t feel like you have to buy everything brand new. Shop your home and pair older pieces with fresh finds for a layered, personal look.

Once you’ve added all your layers and sprinkled in your extras, step back and take it all in. My tray is absolutely bursting with color, texture, and all the Valentine’s feels—and I couldn’t love it more! It’s festive, cozy, and just makes me smile every time I see it.

So, what do you think? Are you ready to style your own Valentine’s Day tiered tray or bar cart? Let me know in the comments, and don’t forget to tag me if you share your creations. I can’t wait to see how you’re spreading the love in your home this season!

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Starting 2025 with a Bang: The Daily Grind’s New Year Kickoff

Can you feel it? That electric, anything-is-possible energy of a brand-new year? As I write this, the rain’s tapping on my window, setting the perfect vibe for some cozy reflection. There’s something magical about this moment—like the universe is washing away the old and making space for something incredible.

I am so pumped for what’s ahead. New year, new goals, and yep, a ton of surprises from The Daily Grind that are going to blow your mind!

If you haven’t already joined our Daily Grind VIP Facebook group, what are you even doing?! Seriously, it’s where all the magic happens—planner tips, goal-setting inspo, and the absolute BEST community of people who are obsessed with making their dreams happen. Consider this your official invite! All you need is a planner or one of our workbooks to join!

We kicked off the year in true Daily Grind style with an epic vision board party! Everyone brought their big dreams and bold goals to life on colorful boards, sharing laughs, inspiration, and a few “aha!” moments along the way. It was the perfect way to set our intentions for 2025—together as a community, dreaming big and cheering each other on. If you missed it, be sure to catch the recording in the Facebook group!

Speaking of kicking things off in style, did you participate in our first big launch of the year? We turned up the excitement with our Adventure Collection, and let me tell you—it’s a total game-changer! Imagine this: a travel-sized planner system designed for dreamers, doers, and anyone always on the move.

But wait—it’s not just a smaller planner. Nope, this baby is packed with adventure vibes and subtle nods to your favorite iconic characters, movies, and journeys. It’s like a little treasure hunt for your inner nerd (and let’s be honest, we all have one).

With interchangeable covers, vibrant designs, and compact inserts, it’s as gorgeous as it is practical. Think grocery lists, meal planning, and even full-day schedules—everything you need to stay organized and on top of your game. Oh, and it even fits in your purse!

And here’s the thing—this year, it’s all about taking time to celebrate the little (and big) moments that make life amazing. After all the excitement of launching the Adventure Collection, I’ve been reflecting on how easy it is to set a goal, achieve it, and then immediately rush to the next thing. But not in 2025! This is the year we hit pause, savor the moment, and truly enjoy our wins.

Here’s the plan:

1. Set Your Milestones

   Forget vague resolutions. Instead, focus on clear, measurable goals. Maybe it’s finishing a passion project, hitting a career milestone, or sticking to a new habit. Whatever it is, make it specific and meaningful.

   
   

2. Pick Your Celebration Goodies

   I’m going all-in with mini bottles of champagne! (Adorable, right?) You can also use sparkling cider, fancy chocolate, or anything else that feels special to you. Label each one with a milestone and keep them somewhere you’ll see them every day—it’s a fun reminder of what you’re working toward.

   
   

3. Pop, Sip, Celebrate

   When you hit a milestone, take a moment to really soak it in. Pop that cork, pour a glass, and maybe even write a little note to yourself about how far you’ve come. Celebrating isn’t just fun—it’s fuel to keep going!

Here’s the thing: New Year’s resolutions are cool, but this isn’t about being perfect. It’s about progress, celebrating the journey, and creating a life you genuinely love living.

Whether it’s tracking habits, setting intentions, or just carving out some guilt-free me time, those little daily actions add up to something BIG. You’ve got everything you need to make 2025 your best year yet, and I’m right here cheering you on.

So, are you ready to raise a glass to your milestones and make this year unforgettable? Let me know in the comments—what’s your first big goal for 2025? I can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Here’s to YOU, here’s to your dreams, and here’s to a year full of magic. Let’s do this!